Customer Reviews

JVC HMDH5U Digital VHS High-Definition Recorder

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The JVC HMDH5U is essentially the same unit as the JVC HM-DH40000. It's more expensive (even though the MSRP is less), not nearly as pretty lacking the front cover of the HM-DH40000, and most importantly has a couple small upgrades. As such its a great VCR but still not a particularly great digital recording device. Whether this is a better buy depends on how you plan to use it.

If you're not familiar with DVHS and the JVC DVHS VCR pluses and minuses, please read my long review of the HM-DH40000. In short, the format has issues but the VCR you get with it is in my opinion well worth it, especially at the price.

The HMDH5U is a slight upgrade, with four things that the HM-DH40000 lacks. First, it supposedly runs a bit cooler than the HM-DH40000, although I haven't seen that on my model. Second, it can decode DTS (the alternative to Dolby Digital) encoded tapes, not a particularly important upgrade as there frankly isn't much recorded in that format available for playback. Third, it has an option to switch to 480i (standard definition) output by a single keystroke on the remote, which sounds minor but can be incredibly useful when you need to access the menu (only available in 480i) while you're watching video in 720p or 1080i. Finally, it has an HDMI output. For those unfamiliar with it, HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the next-generation connection (like DVI or optical output) between digital devices. Besides being able to carry audio signals along with the uncompressed video (meaning less cords), its major advantage is that with a simple, cheap adapter it's backwards compatible with DVI interfaces, which your current HDTV or modern PC monitor probably already has.

In my experience, the signal quality using HDMI or DVI tends to run a bit better than component but isn't terribly noticable unless you're really looking for differences. Still, it does mean this is less likely to be obsolete as an output device going forward, although I doubt component video inputs are going the way of the dodo bird anytime soon. (Incidentally, one more difference is the component output of this is supposedly slightly improved over the HM-DH40000, but I've never noticed it...and if your eye is good enough to notice such small differences you should be using a digital output anyway.)

Unfortunately, almost everything else remains the same. Digital input is by Firewire only, meaning you're limited to a handful of devices that output HD signals this can record. (The 169time solution described below is intriguing but pricey - basically they're a third party that uses a low end computer to add firewire output to a number of other HD receivers. Check them out, but be warned they cost as much as this VCR!) Also, keep in mind that if you're running one of those few tuners that is Firewire compatible with this, do remember Firewire is 2-way - meaning you can play back digital audio and video using it instead, meaning the addition of the HDMI output is rendered moot.

Since my recommendation is that you buy the HM-DH40000 more as a VCR than a digital recorder, whether the HMDH5U is a better choice depends on how you're planning on using it most of the time. If you can use the HDMI/DVI output and are planning on being dedicated to the DVHS and D-Theater formats, this might be worth the extra money. If you're planning on using it more as a VCR upgrade with occasionally archiving digital format, it lacks the sleek front panel of its predecessor and costs more. Just depends on how you use it.

The last reviewer posted absolutely incorrect information regarding this unit. It is NOT POSSIBLE to record HD material using analog inputs. HD material can be recorded in full HD resolution ONLY through the firewire input. JVC gave him the correct information.

I own the JVC HM-DH3000U and a Samsung 5688 1080p dlp projection TV with built in HD tuner. I receive HD from my trusty rabbit ears and record it via the firewire cable. The picture on playback is perfect! I also own a sizeable library of pre-recorded D-VHS movies. They are also stunning! Once you go HD it's hard to go back. I have read other reviews that state they can't record or playback via the firewire link. I don't think newer model HD sets have this issue. My Samsung certainly doesn't. When I record a HD broadcast I only need to press three buttons and it's recording a HDTV broadcast in full HD via the firewire. So.... Having said that. I am seriously considering buying this or the other JVC D-VHS VCR that has a built in HD tuner! the HDMI input/output is very attractive and I think extends the life of the unit. Another major factor is the support for DTS. I own two D-VHS movies that have DTS tracks (Alien Directors cut and I-Robot). My 3000 only plays dolby tracks. The Dolby tracks are 500+ k. The DTS is 1500+k!!!! the difference is not subtle. D-VHS plays back video at 1080i with high FPS. When HD-DVD and Blu-Ray come out shortly they will not offer the FPS speed of these units! If you are serious about HD recording and don't mind spending the extra 10 seconds it takes to record, then this is the only way to go. Unfortunately most people have grown used to the convenience of chapter searches that DVD's offer (why I don't know)and other useless frills. When I watch a movie I do just that, I watch the movie. Quality never wins out over convenience.

My 2 cents

The HDMI on this unit would not work out of the box. Playback problems are frequent. The unit will shut off and restart after 20 seconds. I use it mainly for playback of recordings from the 169time processor. I have used the JVC 30000U and never had any problems. I have purchased two JVC 40000U units and neither one worked out of the box. Received error message 201.. calibrating. I called JVC and they told me to send the units to a service center.

VCRs like this are the only current alternatives to blu-ray. Attach one to the firewire output of your motorola hi-def cable box (and presumably satellite boxes as well), and you can record in hi def on special (and pricey) vhs tapes... about $8 for a 2.5 hour tape and about $20 for a 3.5 hour tape. I seem to get sound or visual dropouts, sometimes every half hour or so, which can be annoying--not sure if that's the tape, the VCR, or the incoming signal. Otherwise, the quality is full 1080 i digital.

JVC purposely designed the previous model 3000 so you couldn't set the timer to record from the firewire input; I think this model is the same.

So you have to be there to push the record button, or record the program onto a DVR and then play it back and copy. (No one said being on the technological edge is easy). Tapes recorded on the 3000 play on this machine just fine and vice versa

You can also record regular digital TV at near DVD quality for up to 20 hours on a tape; a nice feature for day-long marathons.

You can NOT record pay for view... the VCR recognizes the material and blocks it.

Supposedly you can record in super-VHS quality on regular VHS tapes, though I haven't figured that out yet.

The HDMI output is handy, though it takes a second or so for my SONY LCD TV to display anything.

JVC managed to make this pricey VCR look cheap, but it's not offensive. When the machine is on, the panel glows blue-purple, which you might find cool.

I've been recording HDTV for over 3 years using the 169time HDVR upgrades with my HM-DH30000U JVC deck. I recently bought the new JVC HM-DH5U deck since it has the DVI outputs. Still the only way to record HDTV from satellite is with my 169time setup, as there is no way to record true HDTV except through firewire; just like the old 30000.

I'm happy to report that each tape I previously recorded with my 30000 deck plays just great through my new 5U deck. With my DLP, the signal from the 5U playback through DVI is a bit sharper than using the component outputs of the 30000. The only complaint is that I had to buy an HDMI to DVI cable since it wasn't included with the 5U.

I was hoping to record off to tape some High Definition football games for those slow summer days. But it can't be done. Unless you have one of those 169Time machines with a satillite dish service. That is about the ONLY way to get a HD signal into this VCR. I have digital cable ... the cable box I-Link is incompatabile with this VCR, as are almost ALL from what I have read. I have an outdoor digital antenna that feeds a clear and perfect 1080i signal into the TV (and it looks GREAT) but this VCR only accepts and records 480i ant signals. I can record cable channels in 480i standard definition format up to channel 99, since this VCR will NOT receive any channel past that. This VCR does not perform the functions of most VCR's that are available at 1/5 the price.

The Cons to purchasing this device are many.

The Pros .... I haven't seen any yet.

This is an awsome VCR.Should you buy one now that HD DVD and Blu-Ray is to be release?I say not! Yes the picture quality on a D-theater tape blows DVD away! I have "Passion of The Christ" On DVHS and the picture and sound is awsome,pure 1080i video.I been looking for some other titles and must are no longer availible.FOX still have some movies avalible on there website,but the thing is must of those movies will be on HD Disc real soon,and for those that are lucky will be able to watch 1080p,sorry my TV only goes up to 1080i,but I'm sure it will still look great.Well any way this JVC DVHS is a great VCR.It will tied me over untill HD DVD and Blu-Ray.

I bought this unit 2 months ago and at first was disappointed because as mentioned in the manual, the only way to record HD was through the I-Link input. My Direct-TV Sat system doesn't have one. I called JVC and they confirmed that so I thought I was up the creek. I then hooked up the component video from my HD Sat system to this recorder and played with it for a while and found out that in the HS (high speed) mode. It recorded HD without the I-Link connection and the picture is beautiful on my 65" Mitts Diamond. What a nice surprise. I love my new D-VHS recorder and would buy it again. The tapes are hard to find and a little expensive at $10, but how can one put a price on beauty.